Lung CT Screening

At Capital Health, we provide the most comprehensive lung screening and cancer treatment program in the region through a multidisciplinary team approach, which includes doctors, nurses and other expert health care professionals.

Our Lung CT Screening Program is supported by the high quality services offered at our Cancer Center, located at the Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell. This includes cutting edge diagnostics, specifically our extremely low-dose 128- and 256-slice CT (computerized tomography) scans (LDCT). Our CT scans use less radiation and the lowest dose rate (pound-for-pound based on BMI comparisons) which means they are safer. They also use thinner slices, which means greater definition and detail for reading.

There is no contrast involved and no blood tests required, therefore, no needles are used. The actual CT screening takes less than 10 seconds to complete.

Patients in our program are also followed by a patient navigator, who will guide you through the entire registration and screening process. She will also meet with you the day of your screening.

Why should someone be screened?

Most lung cancer patients are diagnosed in a late stage of the disease. A CT scan can detect a small nodule making it possible to diagnose lung cancer at an earlier stage and increase the likelihood for a successful outcome.

Who should be screened?

At Capital Health, anyone who wants to get screened may do so if they have a history of smoking and no apparent symptoms. Those at higher risk for cancer may include people ages 55 – 77 who have a heavy smoking history. This includes people who still smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, please call our patient navigator.

What do you need for the screening?

Patients must provide a physician referral and sign a consent form. Our patient navigator will send a prescription to your primary care physician.

What is the cost of the screening?

As of February 5, 2015, Medicare beneficiaries are covered for LDCT screenings. Medicare will cover lung cancer screening with LDCT once per year for beneficiaries who meet all of the following criteria:

they are age 55-77, and are either current smokers or have quit smoking within the last 15 years;

they have a tobacco smoking history of at least 30 “pack years” (an average of one pack a day for 30 years); and

they receive a written order from a physician or qualified non-physician practitioner that meets certain requirements.

For those who are not covered by Medicare, call our patient navigator at 1-844-303-LUNG (5864) to help determine if you are covered by insurance or if you qualify for our out-of-pocket cost of $130. You can also contact your insurance provider to see if you are covered.

Our multidisciplinary team

Our Lung CT Screening Program is supported by a team of experienced physicians from our Center for Oncology. All scans are read by a fellowship trained chest radiologist, and our team of physicians has extensive experience in:

Medical oncology

Pulmonary medicine

Radiation oncology

Surgical oncology

Thoracic radiology and other specialties.

They collaborate with our nurses, therapists, social workers, nutritionists, rehabilitation staff, pharmacists, genetic counselors and clinical researchers to provide patients with a network of experts trained in the most complex oncology issues.

Contact our patient navigator

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